Trip Leader Information Sheet

1. Make your reservations, obtain any permits required, etc. Note that the Club pays for permits so save your receipts.
2. Set your prices. The club aims to at least break even on the trip. Prices should be set to include subsidy for the trip leader. If the response indicates an obvious money losing situation you will need to cancel the trip or maybe forgo the subsidy. This is a judgement call of the trip leader. The club treasurer, can cut you a check for any up-front expenses.
3. As soon as possible write up the text for the announcement that will appear in the club email and on the web site. Your text should include the usual what, when, where and how – Including the meeting time and place. Be descriptive. It’s more fun if people actually come on the trip so “sell the sizzle not just the steak.”
4. Include your cell phone number (or any alternate phone number where you can be reached) in the hike announcement. Sometimes an email address is not enough, if a hiker needs to reach you at the last minute.
5. Send the a reminder email a week before any hike. The Webmaster will send it out to everyone on the club’s mailing list.
6. Get the club backpack with 2-way radios and the first aid kit from the last hike leader or club executive.
7. The club has a standard Trip Release Form and Trip Report Guidelines which you should use. You can find both on the web site or find a hard copy in the notebook in the club backpack.
8. Within two weeks after the trip send all accounting information, and checks to the club Treasurer. Send the sign in sheet and any Accident/Injury Forms to the Statistician.
9. Write your Trip Report and email it to the along with digitized pictures for the web page. Just the words and pictures. Don’t worry about converting it to HTML: the Webmaster does that.
10. Have Fun!
    
    NOTE: We would like to have at least 3 photographs from the hike for the web site.

• Check the weather
• Arizona Road Conditions

List of Items to Carry

1. First aid kit - the club has one available
2. 2-way radios - to maintain contact with other hikers
3. Moleskin
4. Pocket knife
5. Safety matches in a dry bag
6. Trail map
7. Emergency phone numbers for the area

1. Flashlight
2. Topographical map
3. Compass - preferably an “orienteering” type, which is accurate and easy to use
4. Road map - for driving to the trailhead
5. Nylon rope
6. Whistle
7. Small change - for making telephone calls
8. Paper and pen - for leaving notes
9. Extra food and water
10. Water purifying tablets
11. Toilet Paper

Tasks At Meeting Place

1. Write emergency phone numbers on the sign-up sheet.
2. Sign up hikers: Ensure that the Trip Release Form is complete with signatures. Collect dues of anyone who wishes to join at that time. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
3. Distribute hike information: maps and good driving directions. Driving directions should include road names and numbers, exit names and numbers, landmarks, distance to travel to the next segment, and approximate time of travel for each segment. See sample below.
4. State the preparations the hikers need to make in order to go on the hike. Be firm, and do not hesitate to turn away unprepared hikers.
5. Make announcements about the trail: distance, elevation change, hike rating, terrain, stream crossings, rock scrambles, view points, and other special features
6. Make announcements about the hike: (This may also be done at the trailhead.) Pace, regrouping points, bailout points, places of interest, and special instructions such as the signs used to mark the trail.
7. Make announcements about driving: Give drivers an option to follow you. If directions are complex consider meeting at a more convenient place near the trailhead and driving on from that spot in a caravan. Indicate stops for gas or food, parking at trailhead, suggested car pool fees, and park entry fees.
8. Arrange car pools. Do not pick drivers or assign persons to car pools; the car pools should be formed voluntarily. Ensure that each driver has the driving directions and a map if necessary. Each car should have a TalkAbout radio so you can keep in contact during the drive to the trailhead.
   
   → Carpool meeting locations

Hike Leading Precepts

1. Carry first aid kit and other items: First aid kit is perhaps the most essential item needed in case of an injury. Other items are listed elsewhere on this page. Go through the checklist at parking lot: Items are listed elsewhere on this page. Ensure that people have proper directions and trail maps.
2. Wait at all trail junctions: every junction is important!
3. For groups larger than 10 use a sweep. A sweep may be useful even with smaller groups. The sweep should be a reliable person, and should preferably know the trail well. The sweep should have a radio and should never leave anyone behind.
4. Cancel or modify the hike if needed. If the weather or the trail seems dangerous prior to the start of the hike, cancel it. If you are already into the hike, modify the route if necessary to avoid dangerous sections. If you do modify the route, gather all hikers in a group and explain to them carefully what the new route will be.
5. Record any unsafe situations encountered. You can use the back of the sign-up sheet. Use a separate sheet if a more detailed report is necessary. Blisters and minor scratches don’t require a separate sheet, but serious incidents do. For serious incidents like puncture wounds, lacerations, or broken bones, fill out the Accident/Injury Form in the back of the notebook in the club pack. Use your judgment. By keeping records we can evaluate and improve our safety policy.